A/N : Hello dear readers! How are we doing today? It's raining heavily in my city and there is a minor chance that my wi-fi might just conk off, so I thought, why wait when I have an update to share, and when you all are waiting for it from yesterday! :)

First things first, this is a fun chapter (not hilarious, but fun and light, hopefully you will enjoy!) and as promised to one of you earlier, there is a 'special appearance' of a certain 'Parth' in this chapter - you can imagine anyone in this 'role' but I'd have to say I had 'Parth Samthaan' in mind ;P - although you will see more of him in the next one or two chapters, but I thought of giving you a heads up! :D

So, what are we waiting for? Dive in, read this chapter and enjoy!

Happy reading!

Much love,

A.

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Prerna was back from Goa, she had a great time with Anupam and her old college gang, Vikrant, Parth, Zayed and Ronnie, she had also invited Shivi and Rakhi, but both were unavailable, thankfully the whole gang would be there during the engagement; Prerna was very excited.

Although on the Anurag front, she was a bit bothered, on the first day of the Goa trip he sent very random text messages; firstly after she had left from his house leaving him with Mishka, he was so livid that he didn't contact her for two whole days, it bothered her, but she wanted him to have the space, if she didn't give him that, how would Mishka fit back in? But once she reached Goa, in a couple of hours he had called her, the conversation didn't make much sense according to her, but it went like this:

-        So, you're in Goa now?

-        How'd you know, did Nivi tell you?

-        Of course, who else would, considering you never did?

-        I thought you were mad at me, and wouldn't want me to disturb you

-        You thought, of course much like your other 'thoughts' on what I should do in life. Nice. Have fun.

-        Anurag, can we call it truce, please?

-        Yes of course; wait let me send you a friendship band to seal our truce

-        What?

-        Nothing, I got to go, bye.

Then in a couple of hours he had sent a message on IG messenger, commenting on a photo Anupam had uploaded.

[Who is that guy in the red tee in this photo?]

[Oh, that's Parth. Why?]

[Nothing, seems a bit creepy, that's all]

[Why??]

[Look at how he's staring at you]

[He wasn't staring; he was telling me something when the photo was being taken]

[Of course, how can Parth be creepy?]

[???]

Then he didn't respond;

Prerna found Anurag's behaviour strange, but she let it go thinking he might need time in adjusting to the new norms of their 'thing'. However, he had called him again that night, and that was the last time they spoke.

-        Hey, so ready to hit the nightlife?

-        Yes, we are heading to Brittos!

-        Aah, who all?

-        Just Vikrant and me ---

-        Oh so it's a date? Nice.

-        I was saying, just Vikrant and me are heading from the hotel, rest are coming directly, they were out all day

-        What were you doing with Vikrant in the hotel?

-        We weren't doing anything, he was in his room attending a work call and I was in mine because I didn't want to join the other guys for a Thai Spa – Anurag what's wrong with you, why are you behaving this way?

-        What way? Now I can't ask a simple question? Fine

-        You know what I mean

-        No I don't, Prerna; I never know what you mean

-        Can you not be cryptic, I am going for a party, don't be such a buzz kill Anurag

-        Fine, bye

-        Arre, hang on, why'd you call? You never said that.

-        To tell you to be careful and be around Anupam; but I guess Vikrant and Parth are there too

And then he hung up without waiting for Prerna's response. After that he didn't text or call, the next two days; Prerna considered calling, but she refrained, maybe this space was important, she'd call him after returning from Goa.

So, now Prerna decided to call him; but he didn't answer at the first go, however he texted back in fifteen minutes.

[Sorry Prerna, out with Mish – will call you back]

Prerna smiled, so it seemed like her plan was working, Anurag was spending time with Mishka, maybe that's where he was busy and that's why he didn't contact her so far. She re-read the message – nice – he called her Mish. As Prerna waited that night for Anurag to call, he didn't. She contemplated whether she should call back, maybe he had forgotten, but she didn't, maybe he was busy with his 'Mish'.

***

"Thanks a lot for helping me out with this yaar Pri" Nivi said as she passed on the ribbon to her, for tying the goodies basket that they were going to gift their friends as a note of appreciation for joining them on their special day. The engagement was in two days, it was a Friday night, and Nivi had requested her to come over after work to help her with these along with Anupam.

Two days have passed since she had called Anurag, and he texted back and said he'd call back, but so far he hadn't. Prerna didn't call back either, but she was hoping she'd get to see him today at his house at least – but it was only Nivi and Anupam there.

"Arre fast Anupam, there is so much work left!!" quipped Nivi

"Exactly, we need more hands on deck; let's call more people!" suggested Prerna

"Who else, Prerna? All other friends are flying in on Sunday morning" replied Anupam, while Nivi suppressed a smile.

"Maybe we can call Mishka?" Prerna suggested, not meeting either of their eyes; Nivi and Anupam suppressed another smile.

"Arre yes, let's call Mishka, why only her, get your bhai to join too nah, it's his sister's engagement, he must come in some use" laughed Anupam, Prerna joined in.

"You think I didn't? They are not available" replied Nivi with a straight face.

"Meaning?" Prerna asked without thinking.

"Meaning...meaning..try and understand yaar" Anupam winked at her, and Nivi laughed.

"Stop it Anupam. Actually Mishka had to go to Bombay for a family function; Anurag has gone as her plus one. They are coming back tomorrow evening." replied Nivi carefully monitoring Prerna from the corner of her eyes. This was Anupam's plan – after talking to Anurag that day, Nivi had called Anupam and told him about Anurag's feelings – Anupam wasn't surprised and was ready to help – but he had told her, telling Prerna that Anurag loves her wouldn't do the job, knowing her and her past, unless she felt she had something for him, it would all be futile. So they hatched upon this plan using the oldest trick in the book, 'Jealousy' – wasn't it in jealousy of seeing five hot men in trunk next to a bikini clad Prerna, that even Anurag had owned up to his feelings?

"Oh, they are going strong then" Prerna replied, her voice sounded crestfallen even to her own ears, she quickly, covered up, "I mean, I haven't ever seen him so involved nah, that's why" she smiled.

"Yes, you're right Prerna, no wonder he calls you his best friend; even I have never seen him this involved with someone – I didn't know Mishka and Anurag were this serious to be honest. But he did tell me you helped change his perspective! Thanks Pri"
said Nivi with a sweet smile; she could see it was bothering Pri and she didn't like it – but if this was what it took for the two to be together, so be it, she thought.

On her way back home, Anupam was dropping her, he saw that Pri was unusually quiet, he smiled; he hoped his plan worked, then he'd be able to see his crazy Pri from the college days again.

"By the way Pri, however great a best friend Anurag becomes to you, he can't really replace me, let me tell you!" he spoke with a smirk, Prerna laughed.

"Where did this come from?"

"You know, just saying – he might be a great friend, but I am your greatest wing-man of all time!" he winked.

"That you are, hands down!" she laughed.

"So, I come bearing fruits. Parth really likes you" he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Huh, what?"

"Yes, he called me aside when we were leaving from Goa, to ask if you're single" he laughed.

"And what did you say?" Prerna asked curiously.

"The truth, that you are. There was a fling, but that's over now – oh and I also told him you don't do serious! See I got you covered bae!" Prerna smiled, true she was open now, and yes, Parth was cute; ideally she wouldn't see any reason to deter, but why then was she not feeling up for it? Her mind drifted to their conversation from earlier today – Anurag was Mishka's plus one for a family function.

"So, Pri, should I give him the go ahead to call you?" Anupam probed again, smiling inside.

"Not yet, just hold on okay. I will see him this Sunday for the engagement anyway" she replied; Anupam was both surprised and satisfied. He had expected Pri would be tougher to crack, but it seemed that Anurag already ran quite deep inside her.

***

Anurag was talking to Nivi and Anupam on conference; he was laughing his head off, hearing Prerna's reaction. He was worried Prerna wouldn't care about his whereabouts when Anupam had hatched this plan, but Nivi had convinced him. Sounds like Anupam knew what he was doing – he felt an innate happiness inside hearing how Prerna was trying to trace Mishka to indirectly find out about Anurag, he loved hearing how she mentioned noticing his sudden involvement with Mishka – maybe she didn't realise it yet, but Anurag was sure he meant something to her.

"Guys, let me call her today at least, please? I haven't heard her voice even once, after I realised my feelings for her – why the torture, let me nah?" he pleaded and Nivi and Anupam laughed.

"Nope, nope. Most definitely not Anu; Pri will stop thinking about you the moment you reach out, then she won't realise – I know it's difficult, but bear with me lover boy!" teased Anupam

"By the way guys, what did you tell her, why am I in Bombay with Mishka?" asked Anurag curiously.

"Mini honeymoon" replied Anupam with a straight face, and Anurag almost dropped his phone in shock.

"What is wrong with you, are you trying to get us together or throw us poles apart! See Nivi I told you this guy is nuts!! Anupam why would you tell her that?? Isn't that a bit too much???" shouted Anurag in panic.

"Bhai relax!! And shut up Anupam stop taking his case!! No no, we said no such thing. We told her you went as Mishka's plus one to attend a family function – which is kind of the truth" said Nivi.

"Only that I'm not her plus one and I have a separate invite" corrected Anurag.

"By the way guys, how does Mishka's family know you Anu?" asked Anupam.

"Actually Mishka's brother-in-law and dad goes way back, dad kind of mentored him in business, so acquaintance goes deep; we get invited in big family functions from time to time – in fact this invite was for Mishka's parents 50th wedding anniversary, we were going to avoid it, but Mishka insisted Anurag went, and we wanted to invite her brother-in-law and sister anyway for our engagement, so Anurag agreed" spoke Nivi

"By the way, Nivi did you know her brother-in-law and sister have filed for divorce again? Mishka told me on our way here" said Anurag.

"Again? Hadn't they reconciled for their daughter Cookie? What went wrong?" asked Nivi shocked.

"Don't know details, but again they will continue to work together as always, whatever happens ABC & Associates will stay unperturbed. Anyway guys it's getting late now, let me crash. See you tomorrow, and yes, please don't bug Prerna too much" replied Anurag and hung up amidst Nivi and Anupam's teases, smiling. Anurag was on cloud nine, did Prerna actually harbour feelings for him? Did he stand a real chance at love?

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Word Count : 1962

Well another chapter down, and we are somewhat 'half-way' into this story!

Thank you for reading and as you all know by now, I am waiting with baited breath to know how you feel about this chapter!

I have seen a lot of new folks adding this book to their reading list - for them, thank you! Do read, and let me know what you feel :)

Silent readers, thank you for the votes, I hope I impress you enough, for you to drop in a comment sometime :)

And my 'star' readers, thank you so so much for always leaving so many positive, sweet and encouraging comments, you guys make my day! I love you!

Until tomorrow!